It seems like we say this about Everton every year, but this summer will be very important for the Blues, both on and off the field.
As 777 Partners’ Share Purchase Agreement has come to an end, Everton will not be owned by the company as they get ready for their historic final season at Goodison Park. Instead, Farhad Moshiri will be left to “assess all options for the club’s future ownership.” The team insists that business as usual will continue, but manager Sean Dyche says that a takeover of some kind is necessary or else he will have to switch from “juggling sand” to “juggling dust” when it comes to player acquisition.
Football director Kevin Thelwell has already declared that “players will be sold,” but he has also acknowledged that clever trading both inside and outside the club is essential to a long-term football model. However, the sale of players does not amount to a “fire sale.” The ECHO has examined the tasks Dyche needs to finish this summer before all the drama starts.
Everton does not currently face a short-term cash flow crisis, according to our football writer Dave Powell. Premier League merit payments and broadcast money are expected to arrive soon, and player trades during the transfer window could potentially generate additional funds. Amadou Onana is one of the Blues’ most valuable assets and may be the most agreeable candidate for a big-money trade.
The ECHO is aware that Onana’s agents are eager for the Belgium international to advance in his career this summer, and there may be a corresponding desire from Dyche, who did not always start the player, as well as from those in Goodison’s executive suite. Jarrad Branthwaite is one of the first names on the team sheet right now and could benefit from another season in Dyche’s squad alongside James Tarkowski. By then, if he keeps up his current trajectory, he might even command a nine-figure fee. Everton could probably raise more money by selling Branthwaite, who they estimate to be at least in the £80 million price range.
Jordan Pickford, the top player for England, has contributed more than any other player to keeping Everton in the Premier League in recent years. If the Blues decide to cash in on a devoted player who is a fixture at the club, it would also be a huge loss.
There is concern that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has just over a year left on his current contract, may not be sold for his full market value, even though other Everton players could fetch high prices. The ECHO is aware that the 27-year-old has received a new contract offer from the Blues, so it would be wise to try to convince him to stay.
Even if Calvert-Lewin does not agree to new terms, it might be better to risk losing a player they bought for just £1.5 million when they took a chance on him as a Sheffield United fringe player as a teenager for nothing, rather than selling him for a knockdown fee this summer, considering the cost of replacing their number nine, who is just one of four players to reach 50 Premier League goals for the club. Neither of the two players signed last summer, Youssef Chermiti and Beto, who could have cost up to £40 million in total, have appeared to be reaching comparable levels as of yet.
Eventually, we must witness some of that’shrewd’ trading. Another significant portion of the wage bill will be removed when contracts for players like Andre Gomes and Dele Alli expire. Everton must find replacements who won’t break the bank but might be good instead.
Due to the departure of the aforementioned two players and the possibility of Onana leaving as well, there will be a gap in the middle of the park. For this reason, Everton is considering the possibility of loaning in Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, hoping that the England international midfielder can rebound under Dyche after a disastrous stint under Pep Guardiola. It might be a risk worth taking, and there may be more frugal options available, such as bringing back Jack Harrison on a short-term loan from Leeds United, as it was discovered that the winger has a clause allowing him to leave on loan again after the Yorkshire club was not promoted back to the Premier League on the first try.
